The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, said there was low participation of eligible voters in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Lagos compared to Kano.

INEC said that the weekly update released on February 7 indicated that the state has a total of 191,302 online pre-registrations and 63,961 completed registrations.

“The turnout of eligible registrants is somewhat low when compared with a state like Kano, which is on the same pedestal with Lagos State,” Sam Olumekun, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos, and National Commissioner-designate said.

Mr Olumekun who was represented by James Popoola, INEC’s administration secretary said that CVR remained the bedrock of a successful and credible election.

He explained INEC had launched publicity programmes for the ongoing CVR exercise.

“Hence the clarion call on all critical stakeholders, including the media to join hands with the commission in mobilising Lagos residents to take maximum advantage of the opportunity provided by the current CVR,” the INEC boss said.

He also noted that new polling units have been created in Lagos. According to him, the state has a total of 4,861 new polling units spread across the under-served areas in the state.

He said that with the expansion, the state now had a total of 13,325 polling units.

“The ongoing CVR is part of the Commission’s efforts at populating the new polling units.

“However, from available data, the majority of the new polling units are underpopulated, necessitating the drive to address the ugly trend,” the INEC boss said.

(NAN)